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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2035 ResolutionL w 14,-,61i ? RESOLUTION NO. aoas - A RESOLUTION opposing designating the Hanford Reach as a wild and scenic river. WHEREAS, after due consideration and deliberation, the Pasco City Council believes that the designation of the Hanford Reach as a wild and scenic nver currently under consideration by the National Park Service, is unnecessary and potentially detrimental to the region's agricultural and industrial based economy, NOW, THEREFORE, THE PASCO CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The Pasco City Council declares its Hanford Reach as a wild and scemc nver Tri-Cities Industrial Development Council respondmg to the Hanford Reach Draft EIS, Directors September 24, 1992 DATED this 5th day of October, 1992, at its regular meeting opposition to the designation of the for the reasons summarized by the (TRIDEC) in its policy statement approved by the TRIDEC Board of and passed by the Pasco City Council JOYCE DeFELICE Mayor ATTEST APPROVED AS TO FORM CATHERINE D SEAMAN GREG A RUB STELLO Deputy City Clerk City Attorney TMDEC TRI-CITY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNC L 901 N Colorado • Kenoowick, WA 99336-7685 U S A. • (509) 73541000 • FAX (509) 735-6609 • 1-800-TRI-CITY POLICY STATEMENT HANFORD REACH DRAFT EIS , Sep a a tiv,. In- C04,104 CY,y, 416•8/04r1- TRIDEC has reviewed the proposal to establish the Hanford Reach as a. Wild and Scenic River. There could be positive economic aspects m the form of tourism and an increased quality of life to draw new industries to the region. Since both sides of the Hanford Reach have extensive industrial and agricultural development, TRIDEC questions the existence of a natural environment worthy of protection. Even if one concludes that the Hanford Reach is a resource that one should protect, the National Park Service recognizes there is already adequate government protection of the area. The proposal would adversely affect the region's economic existence. The National Park Service's recommendation for protecting the Hanford Reach imphes a need to protect that area. First, there should be an environment that is worthy of protection and, second, there should be a need to protect it. There is a question whether there is a unique, protectable environment along the 51 miles of proposed Wild and Scenic River There are several hundred miles of the Columbia River from the Canadian border to its mouth. The proposed protected region is but a small percentage of the entire length. Along the west and south side of the Hanford Reach is the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which uses the river for a variety of industrial purposes. Agricultural interests use most of the east and north side for growing and processing crops. Dams contain most of the river's flow between the Canadian border and the sea. Only the Hanford Reach is free-flowing. Although this latter fact makes the subject 51 miles unique, it hardly qualifies that stretch as a Wild and Scenic River. Both industrial and agricultural land uses straddle its length. If the subject area is unique and wild, is it in need of protection? William J Briggle, Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region of the National Park Service, stated that "...the Study Team and the Task Force found the environment along the Reach to be in reasonably good condition. The control over public access to the area for much of the last 50 years has been instrumental in protecting the archaeological sites, the rare plants and animals, and the fisheries to an unusual extent The condition of these resources indicates to me that the stewardship of the Department of Energy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Washington Department of Wildlife, and the private landowners has been generally beneficial in perpetuating the natural resources of the Hanford Reach." Dean Mi ell, Chairman of the Board SEP 28 '92 10 22AM TRIDEC Page two All parties, including the power interests, agree that the Hanford Reach should not be dammed and further controlled. Therefore, the only interest of any government, federal, state, or local, should be to ensure that the successes of the past continue. The past practices have been successful as recognized by the Park Service. There is no valid reason to change them. Surely the Study Team can suggest improvements, but the current management of the Reach could implement them. Local governmental agencies and the local arms of the aforementioned state and federal agencies could undertake such improvements through their current organizational structures. Adding the National Park Service would only insert another level of government without improving anything. The Hanford Reach proposal impacts two economic aspects of the community, agriculture and electric power generation. The east and north side of the river has extensive capital invested in orchards and other agricultural development. Regulation by the National Park Service could restict crop production and thereby reduce land values. The South Columbia Basin irrigation District has dye major spillways that discharge runoff into the Columbia River. The irrigators fear that restrictions on such outflows could close down the enure system. The power producers are concerned that restrictions surrounding the proposal could affect them in several ways. Although their primary interests are electric power generation - and to a lesser extent, flood control - the restrictions could curb releasing water from the dams when they need the power or force them to dump water when no one needs the power. Further restrictions would probably prevent them from constructing and maintaining transmission lines through the area. Additionally, restrictions resulting from the proposed designation might limit discharges of cooling water from WNP 2 nuclear power plant, further aggravating the system's ability to provide much needed power to the Northwest. The proposed designation of the Hanford Reach as a. Wild and Scenic River would adversely impact the existing agricultural activities. It would also negatively affect energy generation and transmission that is so vital to the entire Northwest. Although 'rREDEC supports protection of the Hanford Reach, it =mot find any reason to overthrow the existing organizations that collectively manage that area.. Let them continue their successful, cooperative effort not only to protect that area's natural resources, but also to develop its economic potential. Approved by the TREIDEC Board of Directors this .2 -• day of 1992. *PIKED425191241921X